Whether you’ve joined the homeowners club or decided to renovate a place you’ve lived for many years, it’s necessary to consider projects that’ll save you money. Home improvement projects not only add aesthetics but also increase home functionality and value. So, focus on a simple renovation that’ll bring your home equal to or just above comparable homes in your area. That said, try any of these affordable home improvement projects.
Pressure Washing
One of the most affordable home improvement projects is pressure washing to obtain a spotless exterior. Pressure washing helps remove mildew, soot, dirt, and grime, especially if you live in a dusty area. Harsh winters can also mess up the home exterior with grime and salt spots. Pressure washing is an excellent way to clean aluminum, steel, wood, and bricks.
Pressure washing is not a project that you can perform daily. It’s typically done after a few years as general maintenance. Generally, it’s done before exterior repainting. So, if your home needs some transformation or you’ve just moved, you may need pressure washing services to restore the look.
Pressure washing takes some skills; that’s why you need a specialist because aggressively spraying off the water may damage the siding. However, setting up the equipment is simple. The company connects a hose to the faucet to supply the pressure washer with water. Afterward, they turn the water and the pressure washer on and regulate the pressure depending on the siding material.
Experts don’t recommend pressure washing a home during the hot summer sun. The sun may dry the cleaning agents before they are rinsed. Instead, they advise choosing a mild day in spring or fall for pressure washing. These services can cost around $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot.
New Floors
A new floor can add value, elegance, space, warmth, and cleanliness to a house. According to Fast Expert, wooden flooring can add about 3% to 5% value to a home. However, hardwood flooring is not a cheaper option for these projects. But it’s one of the most affordable home improvement projects you can take.
If you are on a budget, choose sheet vinyl flooring over the wooden option. Sheet vinyl is common among homeowners and is durable. Additionally, it’s available in different colors and patterns to accommodate any style you want. Sheet vinyl quality varies from brand to brand or within the same brand.
Moreover, it’s generally easy to install; so the flooring contractors won’t charge you much. But during removal, you may pay extra because the procedure is complicated. It requires a professional with vast knowledge of sheet vinyl. The sheet vinyl material can cost $0.5 to $4.5, depending on the quality.
Linoleum is another material you can use for flooring. It requires low maintenance because of its water resistance characteristics. However, you need to be careful with water because it can get damaged with time. If maintained as required, linoleum can serve you well; it’s eco-friendly if you worry about your children and pets.
Laminate is another great option if you want flooring similar to hardwood. Despite being an affordable home improvement flooring, it cannot be resealed or refinished. In case of damage, you’ll have to replace it. However, it’s easy to clean and maintain as well as fairly durable.
Lastly, you can consider carpet flooring. A carpet is an ideal option because it will cover the damaged part of the original floor and create an appealing look. A carpet is soft and comfortable, creating safety for your children and pets. Carpet maintenance is easier because it only requires regular vacuuming to stay clean.
New Door
A new front door is an affordable home improvement you can make. The front doors wear fast due to regular use by the household members. In modern houses, the mud rooms are also adjacent to the front door, exposing it to dust, grime, and other elements. Moreover, front doors are prone to weather fluctuations.
According to House Digest, changing a front door can increase the return on investment by 68.8% if you plan to sell your home. Changing the front door increases a home’s curb appeal because every guest who visits your home uses the front door to access the house. This creates the first impression of the home. Modern doors also come with fantastic designs adding more aesthetics.
Doors also play a vital role in energy conservation. It’s, for this reason, you need to change the door, especially if you recently changed the HVAC system. Metallic doors can get cold or conduct heat quickly during the hot summer sun. So, you need a wooden door that can help maintain the temperature in your home.
Lastly, exterior door installation can enhance a home’s security. Thieves and burglars access a home using the front door, thus the need to swap the older door with a more advanced one. Most modern doors are connected to security systems which can trigger the alarm in case of suspectable activities around the entrance.
Repaint
According to experts, home paints can last from 3 to 10 years. The duration is determined by the paint type and the weather conditions. A freshly painted home looks awesome, but after the paint fades, the appealing look is lost. As such, if your paint has lasted for over 10 years, you must give the home a new life.
Repainting a home can increase the real estate value if you intend to sell it. Painting the interior and the exterior can increase the return on investment by $4000, according to Kind Home Solutions. According to the report, that’s 107% for interior repaint and 55% for exterior repaint.
Repainting a home enhances the curb appeal, especially for the exterior. It makes your home stand out in the neighborhood in terms of aesthetics. However, the interior can also create a curb appeal to the guests who visit your home. Painting service also promotes indoor air quality by reducing odor and limiting mold growth.
This affordable home improvement task will cover the marks and stains in the house to protect the surface for durability. It also helps in energy efficiency because certain colors attract or reflect sun rays. During winter, a dull color can help keep your home warm and save the HVAC system from overworking.
New Window Treatments
New window treatment is the most affordable home improvement task you can do. Window treatment covers the windows for appealing looks or to prevent dust and cold air from entering the room. Window treatment can involve soft treatments or hard treatments.
If you choose hard treatment, you can go for shutters which are pricey options and high-end additions. Shutters are made of wood or plastic with a rod down the middle that allows you to adjust the slats to let in more light. Shutters have a variety of colors and finishes to choose from and match your decor.
Venetian blinds are another option you can choose in the hard window treatment. With Venetian blinds, you can choose wood, plastic, or metal finishes, but some companies give an option for cloth strips or tapes that run vertically along the blinds. Like the shutters, blinds can be tilted upwards or downwards depending on the amount of light or air you need in the room.
Cellular and woven wood shades are the third option that blinds and shutters company sell. Cellular shades are perfect for the bathroom because they offer maximum insulation and air blockage. They are available in different colors and textures depending on the light you need in the room.
On the other hand, woven wood shades are made of bamboo or textured grass. They provide a natural vibe for the room and are also great light and air blockers. These shades come with a drawstring that allows you to adjust them according to your needs.
Soft window treatments are another affordable home improvement option from hard treatment. It involves the use of curtains which have traditionally added curb appeal to house windows. Curtains are available in different colors, patterns, materials, and sizes.
There are also special curtains known as light-blocking curtains. They contain thick fabric on the back that blocks incoming light from penetrating the room. Another option for curtains is cafe curtains which are shorter and commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms. You can hang them from the top or in the middle to cover the window halfway and allow smoke or moisture to escape.
Other options are the roller shades operated by rolling up or down as the garage door is opened or closed. There are also sheer curtains which often come in light and neutral shades. These types of curtains allow much light into the room. You can also choose roman shades for soft window treatment.
Redesign Your Landscape
Landscape redesign is an affordable home improvement project that can add beauty to the yard and increase a home’s value. Landscaping redesign also maximizes the use of yard space. It goes beyond creating a visual scenery that can make weekends and evening parties at home awesome.
With that said, hire local landscape designers to help balance the artificial with the natural. You can redesign the yard with more trees and flowers to connect with nature and improve the quality of life. Redesigning the landscape will also allow you to add an outdoor entertainment area for your family.
Install Turf
Turf installation services are ideal for your home if you face dust and erosion challenges. Turf plays an important role in stabilization because it holds the soil and prevents the groundwater from damaging your yard. The fibrous roots in the turf offer excellent netting that holds the soil firmly on the sloped surfaces. A turf can create a perfect outdoor space for children and pets.
On the other hand, you can have artificial turf as an affordable home improvement option. Artificial turfs are usually made of nylon or polyethylene fibers connected to a backing material. The base material comprises one or more granular layers that make installation easier. Artificial turfs can change the overall look of your home if installed professionally.
Add a Sunroom
According to The Spruce, a sunroom can add about half its building cost to the home’s value. It can provide more living space for your family, especially during mild weather. A sunroom is primarily accessible from indoors and can be a great addition to your home if you have many household members. Your guests can also access the sunroom to enjoy some sunlight.
To add more value to the home, hire sunroom companies that professionally install some glass windows around for ample light. A sunroom will help you reduce energy bills because people will mostly spend time outdoors. In many homes, this extra space is utilized for hobbies, saving much space in the main house.
Repave Your Driveway
Repaving a driveway with reliable driveway contractors can add 5% to 10% value to a home. Most driveways are prone to damage because of regular usage. For instance, if you have trucks driving along your home, you need a firmer driveway to withstand their weight. Another factor that can cause easy damage to the driveway is heavy rains.
Ideally, choose the most affordable but durable materials for your driveway. Ensure the under materials are laid professionally to prevent fast wear. Also, ensure your pavement is well-designed for drainage. Water pooling along the driveway can easily lead to potholes, therefore quickly degrading the home’s value.
Trim Your Trees
Trimming trees in the yard helps create more spaces for the sunlight to penetrate to reach the other vegetation. Tree trimming also removes dead branches, and infected parts, and adds vigor and aesthetic qualities. Moreover, trimming the trees around the yard will encourage growth patterns and improve air circulation between the leaves.
If you have fruit trees within the yard, trimming them will add more fruit production. This is because old unproductive branches can hinder fertilization and growth. Trimming yard trees also promotes safety because overgrown branches can be a hiding home for pests and dangerous animals like eagles.
Home improvement has health and aesthetic benefits as well as increasing a home’s value. Consider affordable home improvement projects that will add functionality to your home. For example, adding turfs and sunrooms can add home functionality to become lively. Don’t forget to do landscaping and balance the artificial with nature.